Tom Geiger

I started a post on this thread yesterday but got distracted by dinner and never got back to it. The last several posts covered my concerns that on the Internet you don't know who is on the other end. The person may be a young kid or a disabled person doing the best they can. When I got back to the hobby in my late 20s, my first attempts looked just like the models I built when I was 14, so I joined a club with the intent of learning how to build better models. The members responded and taught me all the basics. My next model was 100% better! And it was all because nice people took the time to teach me. So I do like to return the favor to newer builders. As with most of you, I do appreciate comments on my in progress stuff on mistakes I can still fix, as Rich has mentioned. If I saw something, I'd be more inclined to PM than point out the flaw on the board for all to see. I do like to post suggestions, "it would be cool if..." type posts. Sometimes the builder takes the suggestion and I get to see it built that way, or it gets ignored and that's fine too. It's their model. Then again, I know Rich a long time in person, so I'm sure we'd point out an issue with a model of either of ours because we know how the comment would be taken. I was a bit miffed on my '34 Ford sedan build that on two boards, and two clubs nobody pointed out to me that the kit roof was too square, especially since a half hour's sanding took care of the issue. I learned about it in another post when I asked why AMT hasn't reissued the 33-34 Ford sedans, and someone replied about the roof. At that point I had my body finish done, but being the real modeler, I dumped it into the purple pond, and corrected the roof. Once done, even the new paint scheme came out better so it was a real win. But instead of the "neat build!" posts, I wish someone had mentioned the friggin roof! So if anyone sees an issue with my work, TELL ME! And on the other side, there are builders on both boards and in my clubs who don't want criticism or suggestions. They are happy with their level of build. I know guys who don't do any body prep or use primer. They quickly spray or brush paint their parts and assemble the model box stock. If the model can't be finished in a week, they've lost interest. And if they're happy, I'm content to leave them be!

Neat little trailers. I had one of those tear drops in 1:1 and sold it about 30 years ago, before I knew it was cool! Don't forget to add a trailer made from a pickup back end. I see those on the road all the time.

What model did they send you Harry?

This one was sitting outside the shop where I take my cars for repair here in PA. I don't mind the little van concept, but that nose has to go! I remember a van conversion kit back then called the "Vandetta".

Try it! But wait a few hours....

and there was 'rare' pre-internet and 'rare' post internet. For instance there were kits and promos that you had never seen in person, no matter how many shows you went to. Mine was the '66 Plymouth Valiant promo. But with eBay, they come up for sale on a regular basis, and yes, I now own one. Funny things happened when they took all the junk in America and organized it in one place that anyone, anywhere can access!

That looks realistic and a great photo backdrop. 1946? You've been at this a while!

The opening credits of Beverley Hills Cop... the tractor trailer nailing all the parked cars. It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World.. the movie was a 2 hr car chase!

Not from the listed site, I had to venture out on the Internet to find this page... my first car was a '66 Valiant V100 2 door sedan. 225 slant six, auto trans, power steering. It was originally beige with a red interior. I had it painted silver.

Steve, I think you said it all. I usually don't clear coat anything. A very glossy finish is out of scale in comparison to a 1:1 car. As you said, the sponsor decals were vinyl and had a lesser sheen than the body. Many race cars are poorly finished as well since they're mainly seen from the stands. Years ago I got to go to the IROC shops and was amazed at how rough the cars were. Poor paint jobs, overspray, drips and damage. Years ago there was a guy who built Nascar cars and buried it all in mile deep gorgeous clear. His stuff was immaculate, but looked more like fine jewelry than an accurate replica of the car!

Do they go good in a salad?

It was an annual offered as both a 2 door hardtop and convertible back in 1960. Check eBay for originals. I know I own a Modelhaus resin version of the hardtop. I believe R&R also had a resin 4 door.

Back when this issue came up on another board, guys jumped in to defend their 'right' to pump their own gas. It's a Tom Sawyer painting the fence thing to me! And that's how the big oil lobby got self service approved in states. They put out propaganda telling folks that their state was infringing on their 'rights to pump their own fuel'. Then the dumb as rocks contingent said, "OMG, the state is taking away my rights!" and voted for it. That's like voting to do away with waitresses in restaurants. Wouldn't you rather go in the kitchen to fetch your own food?

Cool fact I never knew. I've always liked the Opel GT since I lived in Germany when they were new. I have a few of the past issues as built ups that need to be redone. I need to get a new one!

. I bought rabbit at the local supermarket just to taste it. My daughter was maybe 5 at the time, and someone asked her, "You ate rabbit?" She replied, "Yes, it was okay because they cut the faces off first"

Be careful displaying that with the For Sale signs on it. I buy 1:1s that look like that ! Great work and it only makes me more determined to find a few of those in the US

Very cool Rich! I have a couple of those sedan deliveries in Coke colors that I got cheap a while back. I'm surprised and encouraged at how well your cutting went. So I know when I'm ready to do mine, I can mail the body to ya! It does appear you have detoured from 1959 to 1957 with the Chevy and now this! But that's cool, especially since you have been helping friends with replicas. See you in a few weeks. Have you met Manny? He will be at NNL East.

I'm not a Porsche guy but always have a soft spot for the 914. I remember when they were new when I lived in Germany. I do own that Revell kit, still unbuilt, bought new in 1972. I'll be watching your interesting build. I do not have the knowledge of the 1:1 to discover the kit shortcomings, but immediately see once you show us the differences. Great work!

You definitely have style for someone so new to the hobby! Keep on creating unique pieces like those and you're doing well.

Yes, Oregon and New Jersey are the only states that have full service. With the economy in the toilet, it might be a good time to rethink it. If the entire country went full service think about how many jobs would be created.

I got these today... Happy Easter! I make devil eggs every year, the faces are a tradition.

I still grumble every time I pump gas in PA! It took my wife like 2 years to learn how. The first year she refused and made me fill the car for her. Only now is she competent and confident that she does it without griping or proudly telling me she did it herself! Both of my daughters calculate how to get to my house in PA and back to NJ without getting gas. Gotta admit, I do enjoy sitting in the nice warm car and watching someone else out in the cold rain pumping the gas! And note that the gas prices in NJ are among the cheapest in the nation. It is a big political issue. The two opposing sides are big oil companies (who want self service) and the Independent NJ Gasoline Dealers Association (who don't want self service). In every state that they've turned over to self service, the big oil companies have refused to renew leases and took back the stations from the independent dealers. They turn the bays into a convenience store and can run the whole operation with one person inside the store. They always would spread propaganda that gas will be cheaper with self service, but the price dips momentary and then is back up again. So who wins? Big oil! I know a lot about this topic because my family owned a service station.

Gotta admit, this would be very cool if it was 1/25 scale. You just know someone would slide an early Ford chassis under it!

Scale would be a determinating factor for me. If it's our favorite scale, I'd build the coach and strap it down to a flat bed truck as if it was headed to a show or auction. That would make a very cool load. If it's 1/12 scale, I'd send it to Harry because it would fit right into the line of old horse drawn carriages he already has built!

When I was maybe six years old, my older cousins Dickie and Donny shared a room that had shelves like yours all the way around! And they were full of model cars. I was instantly enthralled. They even gave me one to take home. I probably got hooked on model cars on that day.